Reaching a second straight Western Conference finals was a remarkable accomplishment for the Minnesota Timberwolves after a surprise shuffle of the roster right before training camp and the pains of adjustments and injuries throughout the regular season.

MINNEAPOLIS — These NBA playoffs have produced some defining images on the way to the Finals: Tyrese Haliburton cementing himself as a big-city villain, Jalen Brunson as a certified crunch-time star, and Jayson Tatum writhing in pain.

Shortly after the contest was over, coach Chris Finch praised Edwards's growth as a leader this season, noting that the Georgia export has come "leaps and bounds" in that departme